Building structure



Aug. 5, 1941. J. C. PEL'roN BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1r. w K M0,

INVENTOR. John C. PeZon ATTORNEY.

Aug. 5, 1941. J. c. PELToN BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 2, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. John CPeZon BY A l ATTORNEY.

Aug- 5l 1941- l J. c. PELToN 2,251,499

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 2, 193e s sheets-sheet s .Z1 Ik? 13 INVENTOR.

Jolm C. Felton A TTORNEY.

Patented 5, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE BUILDING STRUCTURE Joh o. realm, Los Angeles. Calif., minor te Viber Company,.a corporation oi' California,

Application November z, 193s, semi Nn. 23am (ci. zz- 48) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to building structures, and in particular to reenforced cementitious wall structures.

In the building of concrete walls, in particular those for small buildings such as houses, a. large item of cost is that of the forms necessary to hold the concrete or similar material in place until it hardens. These forms, whether of the permanent or temporary type. must be assembled, and later removed when the concrete has set. It is customary in all concrete construction to use metal reenforcing rods distributed through the mass forl greater strength and stability. My invention utilizes the reenforcing metal structure for the mold for forming of the concrete.

An object of my invention vis to provide a concrete building structure in which the reenforcing metal elements are part of the forming means for the concrete. Another object is to provide a metal framing structure which serves as a mold for cementitious materials and a. reenforcing means within the structure which is formed within and around it. Still another object is to provide a structural core of concrete and metal about which Ventilating or dead air spaces may be formed between the core wall-s and surface nish layers attached thereto. Another object is to provide a concrete wall upon which ornamental surface iinishing layers may be attached.

Another object is to provide a low cost permanent building structure. These and other objects are attained by my invention, which will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of my invention with parts broken away to show details;

Fig. 2 shows in elevation a portion of a concrete wall comprising another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of F18. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an alternative selfreenforcing forming structure of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 oi Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows in elevation the detail of another self-reenforcing forming structure;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line IIL-I0 of F18. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view of another alternative forming structure;

Fig. 12 is a. horizontal sectional view of another form of my invention;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on the line Iii-I3 of Fig. 12;

l Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view'of another form of my invention; Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on the line |5--I5 o1' Fig. 14: y

Fig. 16 is a plan view o! another self-enforcing forming structure o! my invention;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line Il-Il oi' Fig. 16; Y

Fi'g. 18 i's an elevation showing another type of uprlghts forming a structural frame for my forming structure;

' Fig. 19 is a sectional View taken on the line Iii- I9 of Fig. y18;

Fig. 20 is an end elevation of the upright of Fig. 18.

In general, my invention involves a structure or frame which serves as a wall forming mold or as an outlining frame to which sheetod members may be attached to ret-ain cementitious mixtures. which structure becomes the reenforcing metal for the concrete core formed within the mold and for the plaster which may be placed on the outside of the core. In its preferred embodiment, the reenforcing structure consists of angle-iron framing elements arranged in parallel formation,- sheeted mesh-like concrete-retaining material sprung as inwardly bowed arches between adjacent angle-iron framing elements on either side of the wall to be formed, longitudinallytying members to hold the framing elements in position against the pressure of the arched sheets, and cross-tying members to hold the opposite wall-forming structures in position. A uted monolithic concrete core or wall is then molded between the two forming walls of arched sheeted meshed material, the meshed material becoming embedded as reeniorcing in the concrete. The

meshed sheets may be fine enough to retain damp concrete mix, but preferably the wire mesh has a concrete-retaining membrane loosely attached on the side of the sheets away from the concrete, which permits better retention of the concrete and allows it to deeper embed the wire or rods of the mesh. The longitudinal tying meansV may bechord elements which are attached-.to the framing elements across the arches which produce the flutes in the concrete core: and when these chord elements are structural sheets, they serve as nnished outer wall surfaces They may be of a plaster base material upon which cementitious finishes such as plaster or stucco may be applied, in which case air spaces are formed in the flutes of the concrete core, or

the flutes may be completely lled up and a plain plaster surface formed on .the wall.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1, T-shaped framing elements II of light weight metal are set upright to outline the two sides of IIb, weldedat separated points along the :face4 (top of the T) and at the adjoining edges as shown at I1 and Il. This structure permits the use of barbed nails I9, which may be driveny or forced between the two angle-irons (shown in detail in Fig. 5) for attaching outsideflnishing material as described below. The cross-tying members I3, holding the T-shaped members at the proper distance apart for the walls of the structure, are steel bars or reenforcing rods of the usual type, attached to the T-shaped members II by suitable means, for example by weldlng.

The sheeted material I4, in the preferred construction shown in Fig. 1, is wire mesh with the wires or rods welded at each crossing. Attached to this wire meshby links or stitching 22, is a membrane I5, for example water-proof paper, which serves to retain the unset concrete, and also by its bulging allows the wires to be deeper embedded in the concrete. Figs. 5 and 6 show this in detail.

In order to hold the arched sheets and` the uprights in a sumciently rigid wall mold into which concrete may be formed, chord members across the arches are employed. The chord members which hold the T-shaped members II in place against the thrust of the sprung arched mesh I4, may be removable strips, but in a preferred form as shown in Fig. 1, sheeted structural material 20 of the type commonly known as wall boar or plaster board is attached to the uprights II by nails I9. Alternatively, plaster base or stucco base such as wire mesh or expanded metal sheets adapted to receive inside finishing plaster or outside stuccolayers,

Fig. 5 shows in greater detail my hollow structural wall. Prior to the placing of the conrete for the core, the wire-mesh sheets I4 are sprung in arched formation between the spaced uprights II, a water-proof membrane being attached to the concave side of the arch by stitching 22. The concrete mix, when placedagainst `the arched wire-mesh surfaces I4, forces the loosely stitched paper I5 away from the wire mesh, allowing the wires to be almost wholly embedded in concrete. Cross-tte rods I3 attached to the T elements II, serving during the to hold the two forming surfaces of the wall at desired distances apart, also become embedded, and together with the wires constitutes effective metal reenforcing for the concrete. In the complete structural wall of Fig. 5, one surface of the concrete core 24 is faced with plaster board" 20 by attaching to the upright elements by means of nails I9 driven between the vertical angle-irons Ila and IIb which make up the T shaped uprights. The surfacing for theother side of the concrete core 24 consists of wire-mesh sheets 26, with attached paper membrane I5, fastened to the uprights as described above. On this wire mesh base 26 are applied layers of stucco or plaster material 29. Air spaces 21 and 28 are thus formed between the stucco or wall board and the utesofthe concrete core 24.

Figs. '1 land 8 show an alternative forming structure in which chord members across the concave arches are not used, but the sheets are placing of the concrete held in arched formation by longitudinal re-A enforcing bars 30 placed on the convex side of the arch. As shown, these longitudinal'bars 30 are attached to the cross-tie members I3 by notching, but they may be wired or welded at the crossings. Any suitable outside finishing sheets may be attached on the outside of the concrete core after it is formed in this forming structure.

Figs. 9 and 10 show another arrangement in which the chord members are bars attached by nuts 32 to the ends of the end-threaded rods I3b, which serve as cross-tie members, the bars 3| being removable after the concrete core has set. The forming elements IIcK in this alternative structure are represented as channelshaped, and the bolts I3b hold the channels Ilcy at proper distances apart to form the wall may be used to provide finished plane wall surfaces outside the fluted concrete core.

In Fig. 2 is shown in elevation a portion of a concrete core built in accordance with my invention; Figs. 3 and 4 show sectional views of this core or wall. The surface of this core consists of concave panels or flutes, with smaller scallops or bulges in the concave panels resulting from forcing of the concrete against the membrane attached to the wire reenforcing elements. In this particular arrangement shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the uprights and the crosstie members are combined -to form sheets of wire mesh I3a with hooking means ISb at the outside edges by which the embedded arched wire-mesh sheets I4 are attached. The fluted structure, the arched sheeted members i4 being sprung between and held by the channels IIc and the threaded rods I3b. v

Fig. 11 shows still another alternative arrangement in which the sheeted meshed material forms a continuous sheet providing forming surface for several adjacent flutes in the concrete core. 'I'his continuous sheet I4b is held in place against the upright framing elements vII by barbed nails I9 or other suitable means, the two sides of the wall being held apart by the cross-tie bars I3. The flute-forming arches are held in position lengthwise before and during the pouring and setting of the concrete by longitudinal bars 30 suitably attached to the cross-tie members I3.

Figs. 14 and 15 show another arrangement for.

uprights II; 'awhile the opposite side oi' the wall structure is formed by springing panels Ilc of expanded" metal or fine wire mesh in relatively iiat arches between the uprights II, ,using as chord members open wire mesh 22a stretched in a fiat sheet on the outer wall and'supported' `by nails I 9 or other fastening means to the uprights II. While other types of sheeted material which are concrete-retaining, may be used for the panels llc. I prefer to use what is known as "expanded metal sheets. By using sumciently dry4 concrete mix for forming the core 2l, this bars 2li and 20a, and the ties 22 become emmaterial will retain and form it, and the small amount of ner concrete extruding through the openings in the mesh or expanded metal, when hardened, provides keys for attachment of the later applied plaster coatings. The open wire mesh a serves not only as a structural chord, but also as a reenforcing base for stucco or plaster, which is trowelled through the mesh and upon it, filling the space 21a, and forming the desired fiat surface finish 29 to the structural wall. The paper membrane I5 on the exterior of the flutes of the core 24, may be removed, if desired, after the concrete has set and rbei'ore the stucco or plaster 29 is applied.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a similar arrangement, but in this structure a special wire mesh, with wires forming embeddable strands I6 on either side of an intermediate concrete-retaining membrane I5, is used for the fiat arched panels I 4d, which are sprung between acute angled T-shaped uprights IId, with cross-ties I3 to the opposite wall uprights II. No chord member is used on the concave side of the arched panel sheets Ild, but the longitudinal bar 30, fastened by tying or welding to the cross-ties I3, holds the fiat arches in sprung formation while the concrete mix is being placed for the core 24, and'become embedded within it. The wire strands Ib exterior to the concrete afford anchoring means for the surface finishing stucco or plaster 29, which may be plastered on in a suiliciently thick layer to fill the shallow flutes in the concrete .core to a fiat wall surface.

Figs. 16 and 17 show another self-reenforcing form for a concrete wall or core, to which surface finishing materials may be attached to provide structural walls such as for houses. This forming y"structure consists of T-shaped upright members I I, Joined across the wall-formlngspace by cross members I3. On one wall side, between the upright members I I are sprung arched panels Ilof concrete-retaining sheet material of the type above described as welded wire mesh with a concrete-retaining membrane such as paper I 5 attached to the exterior side by links or stitches 22. Serving to hold the uprights II from displacement by the sprung arch panels I4, are longitudinal bars on the convex side of the arches, and preferably adjacent to them, which are tied or otherwise attached to the cross-tie members I3. On the opposite wall side, a concrete retaining sheeted material such as expanded metal, small meshed wire, or open wiremesh with attached paper backing, is vattached to the flat face of the T-shaped uprights. In the drawing the vconcrete-retaining sheeted material is represented as open wire mesh Il having paper l5 with wire stitches'22 on its inner (concrete) ide. Parallel to this sheeted material are longitudinal bars 30a attached to the cross-ties I2, and at intervals wire links or ties 23 are attached between the longitudinalbars 20a and the wire stitches 22 of the wire mesh H. 'I'he Purpose of bedded and constitute the reenforclng metal structure kfor the concrete wall. Suitable exterior finishes may be applied to either or both sides vof the concrete wall thus formed, by attaching to the uprights II', or lby coating over the surfaces, with or without additional plaster base" sheets.

Figs. 18, 19 and 20 show another form of uprights and cross-ties which may be used in carrying out my invention. The uprights consist of metal pipe 33, which are joined, for opposite Walls, by cross-tying members I3 welded or otherwise attached to the pipes 33 to form a suitably braced structure. To the opposite side of the pipe surface is attached a metal strip 3l from which has been punched protruding metal tabs 25. 4'I'hese tabs form the means for attaching sheeted material to the uprights, and the angles, marked 36, between the pipe and the metal strips 3l provide an abutment seat for the arched sheets which form the flutes in the concrete core. of my structure. si

My invention provides means of producing con# crete wal-1s for low cost construction particularly for small houses in which the height of the wall is not great and in which light steel framing elements may be used as described. -The framing elements may be of the usual angle-iron construction of suitable strength, but for ordinary small construction, I prefer to use angles made from heavygalvanized sheet metal. The fluteforming arches may be of sheet metal, plain or expanded," but preferably I use wire mesh; the wire being of a size to withstand the load of the concrete mix, and to provide the required reenforcing effects when the concrete has set. The wires or rods may be straightior crimped and the sheets may be plane orcorrugated or otherwise Warped. The vc oncrete-retaining membrane which is attached to the open mesh wire is preferably water-proof paper, but may be any material such as burlap or fabrics to retain the concrete. Fine meshed wire netting or expanded metal sheets may be used instead of wire mesh with attached paper, and very dry concrete, which is retained by such structure, may be -compacted against these sheets by vibration.

If desired, additional reenforcing bars may be used in parts of the structure. The outside surfaces of the ventilated structural wall may be of any suitable material and may be attached as chord memibers by suitable means. For low cost construction, I prefer to employ a wire-mesh having a paper backing, (commonly called "stucco-base" or plasterbase) fastened to angle-irons in T-formation by nails driven between as above described, using plaster finish on the interior and cement stucco on the exterior. 'I'he paper membrane remains within the dead 4air space formed between the fiuted concrete walls and the outer Wall elements, and if it Is water-proofed paper, adds additional damp proofness to the finished structure.

While I have described various forms of my invention, I do not wish to be limitedV thereby, and restrict my invention only insofar as is required by-the .prior art and the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A form for a monolithic concrete wall structure comprising verticalsframing elements, inwardly arched self-supporting sheeted members sprung and held by compression between adjacent framing elements defining at least 'two sides of a space to be lled with concrete, and tie means attached to said framing elements and wholly within the space for concrete, adapted for holding said arched members in place during the pouring and setting of the concrete.

2. A form for a monolithic concrete wall structure comprising vertical-framing elements, in-

wardly arched sheeted members sprung and held by compression between adjacent framing elements defining at least two sides of a space to 'be filled with concrete, and reenforcing bar members attached to said framing elements within the space to be filled with concrete, and adaptedto hold said arched sheet members in arched formation.

3. A form for a monolithic concrete wall structure comprising vertical angle-ironrelements disposed in parallel formation, inwardly arched 8. A form for a monolithic concrete wall comprlsing upright elements disposed in double row formation, inwardly arched sheets sprung between adjacent -framing elements in each row defining the space to be lled with concrete, cross-tie bars between Opposite upright elements in the two rows adapted to serve as reenforcing bars in the monolithic concrete structure, and longitudinal reenforcing bars within fthe space for concrete attached to adjacent cross-tie bars to hold-said uprlights in vertical position against said sprung arched sheets.

9. A formk for a monolithic concrete wall comprising upright angle :members disposed in parallel formation, inwardly arched paper-backed wire-mesh sheets sprung between adjacent angle members defining at least two sides of a space to be filled with concreta-and tie means attached to said angle members to hold said members in vertical position. f

10. A framing structure for a form for concrete comprising two T-shaped structural members disposed with the top of the Ts parallel, and cross-tie bars attachedto the stem of said T members for holding said members apart, each of said T-shaped members consisting of two adbere attached to said framing elements acrossA said arched members. 5. A form for a monolithic concrete wall comprising upright framing elements disposed in double row formation, inwardly arched sheeted members sprung and held by compression between adjacent framing elements in each row definng a space to be filled with-concrete, crosstie means adapted to serve as reenforcing bars in the monolithic concrete structure for holding said framing elements in parallel formation, and tension members for said arched sheeted members attached to said cross-tie means.

6. A form for a monolithic concrete wall structure comprising framing elements disposed in parallell formation, inwardly arched wire-mesh sheets sprung between adjacent framing elements defining at least two s'idesof the space to be filled with concrete, a concrete-retaining membrane attached to the exterior surface ofv said wire-mesh sheets, and chordmembers attached to said framing elements across said arched sheets.

7. A form for a monolithic concrete wall structure comprising upright angle members disposed in parallel formation, iinwardly arched paperbacked wire-mesh sheets sprung between adjacent angle members defining at least two sides of a space to be filled with concrete, and chord members attached to said angle members across said arched sheets.

joining angle strips welded at -the adjoining angles and at the adjoining edges at spaced intervals.

11. A monolithic concrete structure comprising a concrete wall having a series of vertical flutes of arched section on either longitudinal side, the bottoms of the flutes on the two wall sides being oppositely disposed, and meshed metal reenforcing bars embedded within the concrete at the arched surfaces of said flutes the arched bars of 'said mesh being under compressionand bending stress.

12.- A hollow structural wall comprising a monolithic concrete core having a series of vertical flutes of arched section on either side and having arched metal reenforcing bars under compression and bending stress embedded within the curved surfaces of each flute and held between reenforcing metal angles at the fillets between flutes, and a structural layer attached to said reenforcing angles as chords to form hollow spaces defined by the utes of said core and the structural layer.

13. A hollow structural wall comprising a monolithic concrete core of double fluted cross-section having metal reenforcingA bars under compression and bending stress embedded within the arched surfaces of each flute and having reenforcing metal angles at the outer flute edges, a sheeted plaster base attached to said reenforcing angles, and a plaster layer on said base to form hollow spaces between the flutes and said layer.

14. A hollow structural wall comprising a monolithic concrete core of double fiuted cross-section having metal reenforcing bars under compression and bending stress embedded within the arched surfaces of each flute and having attaching means at the outer flute edges, and structural sheets attached by said attaching means to form hollow spaces defined Iby the flutes and the structural sheet.

JOHN C. PELTO-N. 

